UK 1999: Ford Focus takes the lead, Vauxhall Astra on podium

* See the Top 25 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Florian *

The UK market is down 2.2% at 2.2 million registrations this year. For its first full year of sales, the Ford Focus doesn’t waste time and take control of England with 103,228 units sold and 4.7% share. The Ford Fiesta drops one spot to #2 and 99,830 sales while the Vauxhall Astra takes advantage of its new generation to gain 3 spots and jump on the podium for the first time in the 20 year-life of the nameplate in the country at 92,050 units, up 13%.

Vauxhall Astra

The Vauxhall Corsa is also up 3 spots to a best-ever 4th position with 86,779 sales, above the Vauxhall Vectra (-16%) and Ford Mondeo (-23%). The Renault Clio reclaims the title of UK’s best-selling foreign model after 3 years in 2nd place at #7 and 63,991 units. Massive event this year: the VW Golf breaks into the annual British Top 10 for the first time in the 23 year life of the nameplate at #8 with 63,715 sales, up 50% on 1998.

VW Golf

The Peugeot 206 also breaks into the Top 10 at #9 and 58,788 sales for its first full year while the 306 drops 24% to #10. For the third year in the history of the nameplate, the Nissan Micra ranks #11 in the UK and still hasn’t managed to break into the Top 10… Other great performers this year include the BMW 3 Series up 27% on ’98 to reach a best-ever 12th place, the Citroen Saxo up to #14, the Ford Ka up to #16 and the Rover 75 up to #24.